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Penance (G) Print

Written by Vanwa Hravani

23 February 2009 | 415 words

Title: Penance
Author: Vanwa Hravani
Cast: Haldir, Rúmil, Faramir
Rating: G
Summary: Rúmil tends his brother’s garden.
Disclaimer: Don’t own anything, no profit.
Author’s note: Wrote this a little while ago but forgot to post it. Inspired by the 1975 Jessi Colter song, “I’m not Lisa.”
Not part of Simulacra.


“Haldir, you can’t do this. You can’t just walk away. He needs you now – can’t you see that?”

Haldir crossed the floor again, hastily shoved another tunic into his satchel.

“Leave it, Rúmil. He doesn’t need me. He doesn’t even know I’m here. It’s just as well I go now, do less damage in the long run.”

“Haldir, I respect you. You know that. But you’re making a huge mistake. You’re being truly stupid right now. And selfish.”

The powerful Marchwarden spun to face his younger brother, grabbing a fistful of tunic to pull them chest to chest, his voice low with reined threat.

“Brother mine, I would not strike you but I am sorely tempted. Do not tell me what is wrong and what is right. I do only what I must.”

He shoved his shocked brother away from him and continued his packing.

The younger archer watched silently for several long moments, then turned and left the talan.


His thin hand groped at the sheets, reaching. The elf at his bedside woke and quickly took it up, to stroke the back with his fingertips, soothing.

His head began to thrash, turning form side to side, as if struggling, searching, though his bruised eyelids remained closed. “Haldir…”

“Shhh. It’s okay.”

“Haldir!”

“I’m not Haldir. My name is Rúmil. I’m here. I’ll watch over you. You can rest now.”


He dozed on a bench in the sun-kissed garden, wrapped in a blanket against the chill of mid-spring. Waking, he cried out. Haldir was with him in an instant, wiping garden soil from his hands, golden hair glowing in the sun. How he loved that hair.

“Haldir!”

Haldir’s lips brushed against his temple and he closed his eyes for a moment. He opened them to search the concerned face before him.

“Your eyes – they’re different. Not so blue anymore…”

Haldir smiled sadly and spoke.

“I’m not Haldir. My name is Rúmil. Haldir left you years ago, pen-vuil. But I will watch over you. You can rest. Feel the sun.”

He studied the elf before him for a long moment before letting himself drift off again. He was safe; Haldir was here.

NB: Please do not distribute (by any means, including email) or repost this story (including translations) without the author's prior permission. [ more ]

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3 Comment(s)

Ooh.
This is lovely.
I’ve never read a F/H fic before in my life, (I’ve never figured out what to think of the marchwarden…) but you’ve convinced me I could definitely live through another one or two.
This was so beautiful, and painful and it went straight to my heart.

Love,
Geale

— Geale    Friday 27 February 2009, 13:01    #

Geale,

Ooh – you mean I was your first? tee hee. Makes me very happy. I understand your trepidation over Haldir. My thought on Haldir is that he is layered, complex and untouchable like Faramir, and full of hidden pain. As AU as it might be, I do think of them as foils. Maybe – just maybe – if you like Faramir, you could think about Haldir in a different light?

— Vanwa Hravani    Friday 27 February 2009, 15:41    #

:D Yes, you were my first. —looks solemnly at you— You know I will always cherish you for that?

And I have been thinking, I am thinking in fact. I see what you mean. Haldir just seems to slip through my fingers when I try to grasp his character. But maybe that’s what could make him interesting? Oh, I’ve given myself much more to think about, I see! I shall consider this.

— Geale    Friday 6 March 2009, 11:37    #

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